Excavating machine



May 25, 1954 c. P. DUFFY ExcAvATING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet l Filed lJune 22, 1948 R. ,Um fN A U .W o DN R1 w W MM f w w May 25, 1954 c. P. DUFFY ExcAvATING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 22, 1948 Cyrus P. Duffy INVENTOR. win.

BY WWW fi-Mm May 25, 1954 C, P DUFFY 2,6795118 EXCAVATING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Cyrus P. Duffy 84 [26 JNVENTOR.

May 25, 1954 c. P. .DuFFY ExcAvATING MACHINE 8 Shee'cs-Shee'rI 4 Filed June 22, 1948 Cyrus P. Duffy INVENTOR.

BY W

5 Auarneys May 25, 1954 v c. P. DUFFY 2,679,118

EXCAVATING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 /50 /48 L/L /50 RZL] Cyrus P. Duffy INVENTOR.

BY WWW 'MELJX May 25, 1954 c. P. DUFFY ExcAvATINc. MACHINE 8 Sheets-Shee\`l 6 Filed June 22, 1948 Cyrus P. Duffy INVENTOR.

May 25, 1954 c. P. DUFFY EXCAVATING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed June 22, 1948 vVN Cyrus P. Duffy INVENTOR.`

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Patented May 25, 1954 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE EXCAVATING MACHINE I Cyrus P. Duffy, Brooklyn, N. Y. I

Application June 22, 1948, Serial No. 34,491

27 Claims.

This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in an excavating machine and more specifically pertains to a power-operated excavating shovel for automatically performing excavating and digging Operations and earth moving in general.

The principal objectof this invention is to provide a light weight, mobile, andefficient excavator suitable for use in excavating basements, in grading and road making, and earth moving operations in general.

A further important object of the invention is to provide an excavating apparatus which shall be automatic in its operation for removing earth across the full face of the cut as well as progressively advancing into the face of its cut without requiring attention of the operator.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide an automatic excavating device as set forth in the preceding objects which is inherently capable of adjusting itself to various obstructions in its path Without injury to itself and without interruption of its digging operation.

These together With other objects of the invention are attained by the apparatus to' be hereinafter set forth and an important feature of this invention resides in providing an excavating shovel having a reciprocating or upward and downward motion for penetrating the earth to be excavated, in conjunction With means to impart a lateral or backward' mo'tion to the shovel for throwing the earth so removed into a receptable.

A further important feature of the invention resides in the provision of Safety means for protecting the apparatus from excessive strain when the shovel encounters Stones or other obstacles too great to be removed by the normal stroke of the shovel, and wherein the safety means is so devised as to not interfere with further operation of the shovel, and wherein the shovel automatically adjusts its strole to that for which it has been Originally set after the obstruction has been removed.

An additional important feature of the invention resides in the provision of a mechanism for moving the shovel from side to side during its excavating operation, in order to evenly cover the entire face of the cut made by the shovel.

Yet another important feature of the invention resid'es in the provision of a mechanism for effectively and easily raising and lowering the shovePs scope of operation in order to compensate for irregularities in the surface of the ground over which the device moves during its excavating 2 operation, and in order to excavate upon various inclnes with respect to the horizontal plane.

An additional important feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved mechanism for starting and stopping the operation of the shovel.

These, together With various ancillary features and objects of the invention, which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attaned by this device, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figura 1 is a side elevational view of one suitable embodiment of the invention, successive positions of the shovel during its digging operation being indicated in do'tted lines;

Figure 2 is a sideelevational view, taken from the other side of Figura 1, successive positions of the digging operation of the device being indicated in dotted lines;

Fgure 3 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the apparatus of Figures 1-3, alternative positions of the laterally adjustable shovel mechanism being indicated in dotted lines therein;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic side elevational view illustrating the adjustment of the shovel operating mechanism, the same being indicated in its most elevated' position of adjustment;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but indicating the position of the mechanism in its most depressed or lowered position of adjustment for digging;

Figure 7 is a view similar Vto Figures 5 and 6 but illustrating in greater detail and diagrammatically the essential elements of the mechanism for causing the excavating stroke of the shovel and its dirt throwing movement;

'igures 8 and 9 are diagrammatic views indicating various positions in the operation of the stroke-effecting mechanism of the shovel, and in particular indicating the manner in which the device adjusts itself to compensate for obstacles in its path of travel;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary Vertical transverse sectional view through a portion of the mounting mechanism of the shovel;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary Vertical transverse sectional detail view taken upon an enlarged scale, parts being broken away, of a portion of the clutch and control mechanism for the shovel;

Figure 12 is an elevational detail view,i11ustra ting the construction and certain features of the shovel stroke produoing mechanisn'l Figure 13 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of a friction hrake of the invention;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the mechanism shown in Figure 13;

Figura 15 is a fragmentary top plan View of a portion of the shovel traversing or lateral swinging mechanism of the invention;

Figura` 16 is a side elevational view of the mechanism shown in Figura 15;

Figure 17 is a Vertical longitudinal seetionai detail view taken substantially upon the plan-e of section line l'E-'l of Figure 16; and' Figura 18 is a fragmentary Vertical trans'rerse sectional detail view taken substantially upon the' plane of the section line l6-l2-1ofFigure'2:, and: showing a friction side forming a Safety device of the invention.

A satisfactory embodirnent for carrying out the principlesof this inventi'on includes mobile; self-powered` supporti'ng frame upon which the various elements of' the invention 'tre inounted; arr exeavating scoozo including its support'ing structure, its Operating means; and Vertical and lateral adjusting niechanism; Safety release mechanism for'preventing damage to the shot/'ei or its Various operatifne and adjustingv niechani'sms when the shovel''V encounters an ohstruction during the' course of its operation; automatic control mechani'sm for synchronizing the later-al or traversing movement of the shovel during' its forward progress into the excavation.

The basic principl'e of operation of this power s-hovel' is the close sirnulati'on of the motion of the'scoop to that of al manually operated sh'ovel', consisting of a Vertical digging movernent corohined with' a quick, rearwarcl scooping or throwin'g movem'ent for discharging the earth loosened by' the diggi'ng movement of the shovei. By reason of the simple path of moveroent of the shoveli, its cycl'e of' operation may he carried out very rapidly at about sixty cycles or' strokes per minute, wherehy' a relatifvely greater amount of earth may he exoavated' and: moved' as compared With m'uoh larger conventional'. type of power shovels.

Mobile, supporing. framework o'the ezrcooating machine As shown best in Figures 1-4, the excavating machine includes a mobile framework having a generally reotangularfbase platform upon th right: and left sides of' which are mounted f and rear corner posts 62 and id on the right side, connected their upper endshy altop: bar !6- and front and. rear posts S3. and 2l upon the lef'tiside which arelikewise. connected.- a longitudinally extending. top bar 22, the right and left rear posts M 2a beingv connected by a transverse upper reinforcing bar M which overhangs the post asA shown in Figura' 3, for a purpose to be later set forth'.

Vertically slidable into' and' fromthe side and end wall' flonstructions of the framework a recepta'cle-Z lhaving a' transverse supporting-handle 28 seated in upwardly extending receptacle handle l'ugs By means of this. haudle,` the receptacleis vertically' removed from' or' positioned within the framework of. the machine resting upon' the base. w; and itiis' intended that any suitable: mechaniszn. shall' he: provided for' raising and dumping the receptacle; or returning the same to the position shown in Eigures4 1 and7 2; inA which: position the: front. end' of the. receptacle which is open is appropriately positioned to receive the dirt or ot .er material thrown therein by the shovel of the apparatus.

The supporting framework IB is provided with front Wheels 22 and rear Wheels E54, although it will be understood that endless tracks or other wheel substitutes may be provided for lending mobility to the apparatus, and it is preferred that.. the reair Wheels shall. be appropriately operated forV dri'ving and steering the apparatus.

The actual wheel construction and its operatand steering means does not in itself form any part of this invention, it will be readily perc'eitzed that any suitable mechanism may be provided for. this purpose. One such satisfactory mechanism has been diagrammatically indicated in Figurefl: asinciuding a differential housing 36 provided with an irreversible gearing connecting the'axle to ich the rear Wheels 34 are attached, such as a worm drive or the like, such gearing being. of: known design and! not shown:

As will be readily' seen` from FiguresV 1-3, a sprooket gearV isf provided whichV is to be con.- rrectedt with any suitable' power source for im'- parting mohili'tyf to' the apparatus, Operating the various elements thereof, sueh power source being, for.v example, a: gasolfine' engine, not shown. Conneeted with thesprocket driving. 38 is a sproeiet drive chain fii' which delivers the'power from the* gear. 38 to: a driven: gear 42, which, as shown best in Figura 3, is carried' by one' end of a counter-shaft which; is journaled in the corner post frame member" leirr a' standard ri'singffrom thebase to. The driven sprocket gear e22 carried' by theV end of' the countershaft (iii which beyond the corner post Hi, while other end of the' shaft extending inwardly' of the: standard lis provided with a counter-shaft gear The' latt'er is constantly in' ineshlwith ai driyen gear 5% on' an intermediate power/shaft' 52 constituting a' epindle, which intermediate spindle' is ournaled` in the members it and' 2%: A suitable reversing gea-ring indica-ted' generally' by the numeralv 56.' is provided wherehy the eonstar-Lt rotation of. the' spiufile may be. appropria-tely imparted to the diiferential mechanism 35 for selectiyelycausingrotation of the rear. Wheels 3a in either direction.

A reversingl lever 55' is suitahly connected. to the reversingl gearingv 54 and is operated by an oscillating foot lever ivoted to a standard Sil rising from the frame' Thus, a pedal operated means is provided for selectively causing the intermediate` spindle toV actuate the difierential gea-ring; 'i and` the* rea'r wheels i' in a direction toz move the machine' forward' or rearward' as desired', or for putting thegearing' in a neutral position.

Aswill he' apparent by reference to Figures 1 and' 2;, the' real' transverse bar 24 hasaifixed thereto inwardl'y and downwardly sloping guide members 62. which' serve asa guide and a positioning means for receiving andplacing the receptacle 26 as the latter is lowered into the side wall' construction upon' the. supporting base 10. As='wi1l? be readily seemthe rear end' of the receptacle: 26. has an'. inwardlyl and; downwardly sloping wall Bit-.which restsagainst the guide members 62;

Ercavating shovel As willi be' seen best by reference to Figure 101, and also by reference to: Figures 1, 2, and' 4, the twoi front' posts 12' and E28' and the top bars Hi and'I 22 thereon rigidly support' therehetween the oscillating` hoornstructure of the shovel: mechanism. For this purpose, a preferably tubular axle 66 is secured between the members |6 and 22, as by means of fastening bolts 68, and a tubular actuator tube lil is oscillatably journaled upon the axle 66, as by means of anti-friction bearings 12 adjacent the ends thereof. From the midpoint of the actuator tube extend upper and lower, diametrically clisposed radial boom trunnions 'M and lt, respectively. Anti-friction bearings 18 are mounted on the radially outward ends of these trunnions for rotatably journaling and securing thereon the inner extremities of the upper and lower boom members 80 and 82, respectively. As will be apparent from Vthe various figures of the drawings, the upper and lower boom members form a triangular boom, their outer ends being pivotally connected to each other and to a shovel member, as set forth hereinafter, whereby the triangular boom and the shovel depending therefrom may be readily moved in a Vertical plane by oscillating the actuator tube le, and may be moved in a plane perpendicular to the Vertical plane by means of the trunnion bearings 18, as set fort-h hereinafter.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 4, it will be seen that a pivot pin 811 connects the bifurcated ends of the members 8d and 82 and also pivotally connects therewith a shovel handle support member 86, see Figures 1, 2, 5-7, which handle support detachably receives a shovel 'nandle 88 therein, provided with a scoop or shovel blade 86. As will be readily understood, it is contemplated that the shovel blade and handle may be readily removed from the handle support in order to service the same, or substitute a different shovel and handle having altered Operating characteristics, as clesired.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 10, it will be seen that the actuator tube 'it adjacent one end thereof, and inside the top bar l6, has rigidly attached and mounted thereon a friction drum 92 secured in any suitable manner, and provided with a peripheral, annular surface embraced, and engaged by an annular friction band 9d having an actuator arm 96 thereon. It is to be noted that the oscillation of the actuator tube is effected by means of the actuator arm 96 through the frictional but yieldable gripping engagement of the band 94 on the drum 92, in a manner to be set forth and for a purpose which will later become apparent.

At its other extremity, the actuator tube 'iii is provided with a downwardly extending, rigidly attached elevator arm 31' whose construction and mode of operation will later become apparent.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 13 and 14, it will be evident that the annular frietion band 594 ie provided with a brake lining 98 of any suitable type for providing a frictional and gripping engagement between the band and drum. One of the adjacent ends of the annular friction band 94 has rigidly attached thereto a forked, generally lJ-shaped end member having parallel arms md which terminate in screwthreadecl extremities m2 and are provided with adjusting nuts itd for adiustably clamping upon these arms a lug Hit rigidly carried by the other end of the band 94. As will be apparent, it is merely necessary to suitably adjust the nuts il to impart any desired tension to the band M, and thereby vary the frictional gripping engageinent to the lining 9B with the friction drum 92 Attention is next directed to Figures 1, 2 and 7, and more particularly to Figure 18, wherein it willV be seen that the upper boom member 36 is suitably mounted thereabove in a generally parallel relation thereto, a friction bar or guide WB which is slidably engaged by a friction slide consisting of an upper plate H) and a lower plate l 12 which are provided with friction linings ll'l for frictionally gripping and embracing the upper and lower surfaces of the guide bar Iii therebetween, suitable claniping bolts H' being provided for imparting any desired frictional gripping action to the slide upon the friction bar. Laterally extending lugs M8 are provided at one end of the slide for the attachment thereto of tension springs |2il which tension Springs are securecl at their other extremities to suitable spring anohors 122 mounted upon the upper boom member 3B.

A shovel actuating cable [2d is suitably attached to the slide, as, for example, to the lower surface of plate |i2 at the center thereof and is then entrained over a guide puiley l mounted on the outer end of the upper boom member 80, this cable being then extended through a hollow guide housing 128 suitably attached to the shovel handle 88, and thence is entrained over a guide pulley |30 mounted in the guide housing 428.

A resilient, angulated bumper spring |32, which may be of leaf spring construction, is secured to the lower surface of the lower boom member 82, and is provided with an abutment surface 131i at one extremity thereof, disposed in such position as to be engaged by the housing [23 to constitute a resilient stop or abutment for limiting the upward movement of the shovel handle 83, as set forth hereinafter. A further leaf spring 136 is secured to the upper surface of the lower boom member 82, and has its extremity pivotally connected, as by a clamp 133, to the shovel handle support 86, in such manner as to yieldingly urge the shovel, shovel handle, and shovel handle support to their normal outermost position in readiness for the next Operating stroke of the shovel.

The cable IM, as will be more readily apparent from a study of Figures 4, 5, and 6, is then entrained over a pair of guide pulleys 140 and 142 and thence extends rearwardly of the machine over a further guide pulley M6, see Figure 12, suitably carried by a braclet 144 mounted upon and extending upwardly of the top bar lt. The end of this cable is then secured to a cable hook M8 having a pair of retaining and guiding members 15% which are slidable upon a curved cable hook guide 152 suitably mounted upon the bracket EM and upon an extension 154 of the top bar IG. This cable hook M8 has a notch or latch portion 156 which is engageable by a spur 01' cam nose E58 formed on the periphery of an actuator wheel 16h. It will thus be seen that as the actuator wheel rotates, in the direction indicated by the arrow m2 in Figure 12, the cam spur lfi will engage the notched portion It` of the hook 148 when the latter is in the dotted line position, and then throughout substantially ninety degrees of rotation of the actuator wheel 560 will cause an arcuate movement of the cable hook M8, until the full line position of Figura 12 is reached, at which time the divergency of the paths of movement of the spur 158 and the notch 56 will cause a disengagement or release of the latter, whereupon the cable hook is free to slide back upon the cable hook guide to its original dotted line position. Thus, one reciprocation is imparted to the cable l24 throughout each rotation of the actuator wheel '160.

Referring now more especially to Figures 3 and ll, it will be seen that there is provided an actua'- tor spindle lfi which is suitably journaled between the rear uprights Hi and 20, and which has one estending beyond the'upright M to receiverigidlythereon the'above mentioned actuator wheel Loosely surrounding the spindlel 551i is an actuator sleeve l which has one end. screw thre'adedly engaging the hub portion E68 forming part of a claw clutch which is spiined' to the spindle as at 1% for sliding movement but non-rotatable nioveinent thereon. This hub portion i carries claw teeth l'l which are engageable with corresponding claw teeth HE carried by a gear EM whose hub is loosely and rotatably received upon the spindle lt, this gear having an annular groove 518 in its hub for engagement by an annular retaining member E863 carried by the l whereby the gear is rotatably but non-slidably positioned upon the spindle E64.

The gear i'ii is constantly in mesh with a' driving' pinion i' which is keyed or otherwise-secured to the actuator shaft 52.

In the other end of the sleeve 166 is' fixedly secured an abutrnent collar or sleeve E82; which provides aseat for one end of a clutchl compression spring A bushing 5% is suitably' positionecl in a bearing apertureV in the support; 29 journals the spindle lili therein, the end of this' bushing constituting a spring abutinent for the other end of the' compression springr IM.

Surrouncnng the sleeve- E55 and secured thereto is a spindle sleeve brake disk E88, while a similai'V stationary bral-:e plate iiil having a brake facing or lining E532 rigidly attached to and carried by the support As will he seen, the. spring lii'fv thus urges the sleeve` iGt toward' its rigl'it-hand position as'viewed in' Figure il, tiereby ureing the claw teeth i'il and E12 of the clutoh member into engagen'ient, at which time the brake dishs and -88V are spaced from each other. When, however, the sieeve is moved to the left, by a means-to be later descrihed, the clutch teeth ilo and HZ are released, while the bralre disks M38 and led are the actuator shaft gear l'i'i and the driving sprocket :E8 previously nientioned, or is disenfrom this driving means and is prevented r .from rotating' by engagement of the two brake di ahle'wit e of a cam actuating finger lS when the letter is movei np into the path of travel of the com nose 5%. This actuator finger 138 ied by a lever journaled as by a pin 553i* Figure 3' and is operated either to actuate or to'stop dependent mechanism by' knob handle M35- Figure 3. The pin E9? is carried by the Vertical port-ion i of supporting bracket 202 rigidly fastened to upright 20 as by its leg 2M.

It will be understood that when the lever' '109 is moved about its fulcruin point E91' toward the s-leeve i' 'ny its handle N39, the actuator finger thereof isdisposedinto the path of travel of the sioping cam nose 5%. Accordingly, upon engagement of the nose i-S'wth the end of the finger led, the camz and consequently the sleeve l are'urged' to the left, against the'opposition of the compression spring EM, thereby engaging the' bralre d'isksu l'8`8" and` l and' disengaging. the

clutchteethz l'lztfand R2. Accordingly, the actua tor spindle which. is keyed to-the sleeve is thereby braked and the mechanism associa-ted therewith is preventeciZ from Operating; while when the clutch lever'Zti) isl moved away fromV the above mentioned position, disengaging the clutchfinger His-from the cam lobe Hit, the compressionspring moves thesleeve to the right, releasing the brake andl again establishing the clutch driving engagement with the intermediate spindle 52v to cause operation of thoseV members driven by the actuatoirspindle IM.

As will be seen by reference to Figure 3; the actuator Wheel let is' provided' With an actuator crank 'which, as'shownl in the other'figures of the drawings, ispivotaliy connected to one endv of the actuator rod 288 whose other` endis-pivoted. as at le' in' Figure 1D, to the lower endof the, actuator'arm. Theradii of rotation of the Crank pin and the pivot'ed end '2m of the actuator arm- 96 are: such that uporr rotation of the Crank pin- 26.6; the arm Ei-iseeaused tolhave an oscillatin'I motion. Thus,' as the actuator spindle 164 is rotated under control of the clutch as above mentioned, anosoillating' motionis imparted to the arm 96 and through theV friction drive between the members 9A and 92 produces an oscillation of the actuator sleeve "is, thereby causing an: oscillation in the Vertical plane of the shovel boom mechanism including the upper and lower members 8G. and (i, and the. shovel attached thereto.

This Vertical oscillation of the boom results inv the imparting ofv a Vertical digging mcvement to the shovel carried thereby. At the-same time, and in properly timed relation thereto, the actuator wheel, by means-ofits cam or. spur ii and interrnittent engagernent with the Cable latch l', imparts a reciprocating motion to the cable which in turn oauses. a swinging movement of the shovel during its above mentioned` Vertical reciprocation. This combination of the swinging movement of the shovel caused by the cablel the Vertical reciprooating movement of the shovel causedv by the reciprocation of the boom results in a compound motion indicated by the dotted linesl in Fignres 1 and 2, whereby the shovel has a downward stroke indicat-ed by the portion M2 of the dotteolilines which is caused by the reoiprocation of the boom, and rearward or dirt-throwing portion, indicate-:lat 2ll,-which isl caused by the reciprocation of the oable l24. This latter moveifnentl causes the shovel hanclle to move suddenly to the rear, until the burnper spring is engaged, thus-v suddenly arresting the rearward movement of. the handle and causing the olirt carriedby the shovel to be thrown into the open front end of the reeeptacle The eneagement of the shovel handle Withithe resilient abutment spring l32slight1y compresses the latter, givinga forward thrcw to the shovel, and the spring, together. with the continuous resistance of the bow spring E35' occurring during the upward partof the Vertical reciprocation of the shove1,. causes theV shovel to follow the dotted line path indicated at 2 it, and wherehy the shovel is returned to its original position.

Shovel traverse 'mechtmsm It is an important and essentialfeature of this invention to provide automaticV means for causing the automatically digging shovelto have a lateral or' traverse movement across the face of the excavation being dug. For'this purpose', the supporting' boom: is' moved in a= plane: per- As shown best in Figure 4, the boom is providedV with oppostely disposed, lateraily positioned lugs 213 and 220, which are arcuately shaped about the axis of the trunnions 14 and 16 as a center. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, these lugs are carried by a Vertical reinforcing member 222 which is secured between the upper and lower boom members 80 and 82. A pair of tension Springs 224 are each connected at one extremity to one of the lugs 28 and 220 and at their other extremities to a boom swinging cable to'be now described.

A flexible cable 226 has its two extremities secured to the outer ends of the two Springs 224, this cable being entrained over a guide pulley 228 at the right-hand side of Figure a, and over a pair of guide pulleys 230 and 232, see Figure 15, which are supported by a suitable bracket 234 carried in any suitable manner by the framework of the machine, the fiexible cable then passing over further cfuide pulleys and about an end pulley 236, see Fig. 16, mounted on a spindle 238 carried by a bracket 240. Secured to one fiight of the cable 226 vis a downwardly extending pin 242 carried by one end of a reciprocating connecting rod 244. It will thus be seen that as the rod 244 is reciprocated, the pin 242 will cause a reciprocating movement of the flexible cable 22 6, thereby resulting in an oscillating or traverse movement of the boom, to successively position the shovel across the entire lateral face of the cut of the excavation.

As will be clearly apparent from Figures and 16 and in further conjunction with Figure 2, a pair of supports '246 and 248 are mounted upon the top bar 22 with the support 246, the support 246 journaling a spindle 250 while the support 242 rotatably carries the spindle 252. The spindles 250 and 252 at their upper ends are provided with Sprocket gears 254 and 256 respectiveiy, about which is entrained a sprocket chain 258 which, as shown in Figure 17, has a link 266 from which rises a pintle or trunnion 262 which is pivotally connected to the other end of the connecting rod 2M for reciprocation of the same.

g It will thus be seen that as the sprocket chain 2'58 is slowly rotated, by a means to be subsequently set forth, the eonnecting rod 244 is slowly reciprocated, and the pin '242 thereof causes a corresponding reciprocation of the fiexible cable 226 as above set forth.

v The spindle 252 is further provided with a bevel gear 264 which is constantly in mesh with a corresponding bevel gear 266 carried by the actuating spindle [64, as Will be apparent from Figures 3 and 11. Thus, as the actuating spindle is rotated, the above mentioned excavating strokes are imparted to the shovel, and simultaneously a slow lateral swinging or traverse movement is imparted to the boom to cause the successive strokes of the shovel to move evenly across the face of the cut and back again during operation of the device. VAt the same time, upon cessation of the operation strokes of the shovel, the traverse movement is likewise halted.

Siovel elevating mechanism Another essential feature of this invention re- 10 sides in providing mechanism for elevating or lorweringV the boom and thereby to cause the shovel to excavate above or below a'horizontal plane whereby the device may be employed to dig up or down inclines or slopes, and this during the above mentioned traverse movement of the mechanism, and independently thereof. For an understanding of this mechanism and its operation, attention is now direc'ted to Figures '2, 5-7, and also to Figures 8 and 9.

Suitably mounted upon the rear post 20 is a supporting bracket 268 within which is rotatably but non-slidably journaled an elevating crank 210. The end of this crank is flexibly but nonrotatably secured to an elevator screw 212 which is telescopingly and screw threadedly received in an elevator sleeve 214 whose other extremity `is provided with a pin 216 which is slidably movable in an arcuate slot 218 formed in an enlarged headed portion 280 at the end of the above mentioned elevator arm 91 rigidly attached to the actuator tube 10. The function of the pin 216 is to provide a stop or limit to the oscillation of the elevator arm 91 and hence of the actuator sleeve 10 rigidly attached thereto, and to thus, by means of the screw threaded adjustment of the screw 212 in the sleeve 21'2, regulate the upper and lower extremes of the shovel position during its Vertical oscillation.

As Will be evident, once the elevator screw and the elevator pin 216 positioned thereby have been set for a given adjustment, the boom oscillates in a Vertical plane limited only by the extent of movement of the slot 216 about the stationary pin 216. Obviously, if the elevator screw is telescoped into the sleeve 214, in the manner shown in Figure 6,`the upward and downward extremes of Vertical reciprocation of the boom are lowered to their minimum, while if the elevator screw is moved outwardly with respect to the elevator sleeve as in Figure 5, the limits of Vertical movement of the boom are elevated to their maximum value, as shown in Figure 5. In the former adjustment, the shovel is set for excavating a downward incline, while in the latter position the apparatus is adjusted for excavating a cut at a higher elevation whereby the machine may be adjusted to make an upwardly inclined excavating slope.

The elevating mechanism is adjustable during the operation of the shovel, and the latter automatically adjusts itself to the manual setting of the elevator pm 216.

The Aoperation of the elevating mechanism and of the boom oscillating mechanism is as follows: When the elevator screw and sleeve are in their most extended position, as shown in Figura 5, the elevator pin 216 is disposed in its outermost position as shown in Figure 5, and the position of the elevator sleeve 214 and pin 216 are as shown in Figures 8 and 9 in full lines. Therefore, during the oscillation 'of the actuator sleeve 10 by means of the actuator arm 96 and connecting rod'208, the sleeve is free to oscillate, within the movement imparted by the oscillating arm 96, and within the limits interposed by the stationary pin 216 in the relatively oscillating arcuate slot 218, the uppermost limit of oscillation of the boom, and of the arm 91 being indicated at 91a in Fgure 9 and at 91 in Figure 8. As Will be evident, in this position of adjustment, the range of Vertical movement of the boom has been ele- Vated to its maximum.

Assume now that the elevating screw and sleeve have been telescoped into their shortest length, as shownin Figure 6, andthat the elevator sleeve has assumed the position shown at 214 and the elevator arm has assumed the position shown at 91 in Figure 9. As will be evident, the stationary elevator pin 216 has now been shifted in a clockwise direction relative to the original position, and since the arcuate slot 218 must oscillate about the stationary pin, the movement of the slot has likewise been shifted in a clockwise direction, to that indicated in full lines at 218 in Figure 9. Alternative positions of the actuator rod, elevator arm and actuator arm are shown in dotted lines at 20BA, 91A and 96A in Figures 8 and 9.

It will thus be seen that when the elevator pin 216 has been shifted, on the next Operating stroke, regardless of whether up or down, the end of the slot 218 will engage the pin 21.6, preventing any further movement of the elevator arm 91, and therefore of the actuator tube W. Consequently, the boom will cease` its Vertical travel, and the necessarily continuedoscillatory movement of the actuator arm 96 will result in slippage between brake lining 98 interposed between the brake disk 92 and the brake band 94. rihis slippage will Continue until the actuator. arm 9B has completed its stroke. Upon the return movement of the actuator arm, it is obvious that the slot 218 is free to slide over the elevator pin 216, and aocordingly the actuator tube 10 will be moved throughout its completeV path of oscillation and will continue to move throughout its new position until the elevator pin. is again .re-set. It will thus be seen that when the elevator pin has been set to a. new position, the next stroke of the actuator arm and actuator tube will cause a slippage in the friction brake that drives the actuator tube, whereby the range of stroke of the boom will be immediately adjusted for the predetermined number of degrees of Vertical oscillation about the stationary elevator Overi'oad saety devices In order to enhance the efiiciency ofv operation and prolong the life of the apparatus,. various overload safety features are incorporated intothe mechanism of the device to insure that no injury will be done to the apparatus when an obst'ruction such as a boulder or the like is-encountered which prevents the shovel from making its complete stroke; or when some other obstruction is encountered which preve'nts the traverse. movement of the boom. The first of these safety features includes the previously mentioned friction slide which is movable upon the friction bar ltl, and to which the shovel actuating cable |24 is terminally connected. rllhe frictional resistance of the slide to movement uponV the friction bar |08 is such as to constitute a fixed anchor for the end of the cable 121i when the device is operating within the predetermined capacity of the machine. However, when. an overload is encountered, such as when the shovel strikes an obstacle, the continually increased' strain upon the moving cable 524 will cause a sliding of the slide upon the friction bar m3, against the resistance of the frictional force thereof, as well as against the resistance of the tension Springs 123,, whereby the movement of the Cable is permitted without further movement of the shovel. Upon the release of the Operating force appliedto the cable 52'1 by means of the previously mentioned actuator Wheel cam l'. and cable'hook 1-48, the'springs 120 serve to return the slide to its original position, as shown in Figure 2', despite the frictional engagement of the latter upon the friction bar N58, thereby reieasing the shovel and returning the same to its original position7 as shown in the uppermost of the dotted line positions of Figures 1 and 2. Upon the next actuation of the shovel cable l, the shovel again vmakes its downward stroke which, if the obstruction is still present, is again interrupted without damage to the mechanism. Eventually, of course, the continued digging action of the shovel will either dislodge, under-mine, or due to the traverse movement of the mechanism, work around the obstacle, whereupon the shovel will resume its full stroke. It will thus be seen that by this means, the rapid digging action of the shovel is uninterrupted and unimpaired by the encountering of an obstacle, except as to the limitation of the effective stroke of the shovel. Further, the shovel is thus effective to extricate itself from the obstacle encountered, whereby it may resume digging to either undermine or pass the obstruction.

t will be further noted that the friction clutch driving connection between the aotuator arm 96 and the actuator tube TIG will cause a slippage which will arrest further downward movement of the boom and shovel when the shovel encounters any obstacle on upward and downward movement even though the actuator arm continues its oscillation in response to oontained rotation of the actuator spindle. As pointed out hereinbefore, the relative displacement or shortening of the effective stroke of. the boom with reference to the stationary elevator pin 21B is immediately compensated for and adjusted by the next cycle of operation of the associated members.

Further, any obstruction encountered by the machine in making its lateral traverse movement across the face of the cut is to some extent cushioned by reason of the Springs 224. Moreover, the yielding action of springs 221i permits the upward and downward movement of the boom during the digging stroke, Without breaking the traverse Cable. 226, these Springs giving the necessary yielding action which is required by the angular movement of the ends of the cable 226.

As Will be ap'parent, the intermediate shaft 52 Supplies the entire power for the machine, and by proper manipulation of the foot pedal lever 553, reverse lever 56, and gearing 54, is effective to simultaneously and automatically either advance the apparatus or' move the same backwardly, while automatically, as permitted by the control clutch lever i, to cause the Vertical oscillation of the boom by means of the connecting rod 208 and actuator arm 96, while simultaneously causing the shoveling action byv the cable i24 through the agency of the actuator wheel cam l53 and the cable hook E438, and at the same time causing the traversing movement of the mechanisrn by means of the gearing 2623 and 2%, and the sprocket chain 25B in driving engagement with the traversing cable From the foregoing, the principles of operation of the device will be readily understood and the many advantages attained thereby will be obviously apparent Accordingly, further explanation is believed to be unneoessary.

However, since numerous modications will readily occur to those skilled inA the art after a consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, but all suitable modifications and 13 quivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus disclosed and described the inVention, what is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In an excavating machine, a boom, a shovel comprising a handle having a spada-like blade at its lower a piVot connecting the upper end of said shovel handle to an end of 'said boom, a first means for` Vertically oscillating said boom about a stationary horizontal axis to cause Vertical digging strokes by said shovel and a second means for independently osciilating said shovel in a Vertical plane about said pivot to cause removal of dirt by said shovel, and a common means for driving said first and second means in timed relation, a bumper spring mounted'on said boom and constituting a resilient abutment for engagement with said shovel handle to abruptly limit the independent oscillation thereof and cause a discharge of of its contents.

2. In an excavating machine, a boom, a shovel, a pivot connecting said shovel to said boom, a first means for Vertically oscillating said boom about a. stationary horizontal axis to cause digging by said shovel and a second means for independently oscillating said shovel in a Vertical plane about said pivot to cause removal of dirt by said shovel, and a common means for driving said first and second vmeans in timed relation, a yielding connection in said second means to prevent the transfer of excessive loads from said shovel to said second means, said second means including a flexible cable connected to said common means, said shovel and an adj ustable friction slide.

3. In an excavating machine, a boom, a shovel, a pivot connecting said shovel to said boom, a first means for Vertically oscillating said boom about a stationary horizontal axis to cause digging by said shovel and a second means for independently oscillating said shovel in a Vertical plane about said pivot to cause removai of dirt by said shovel and a common means for driving said first and second means in timed relation, said first means including an actuator tube mounted for oscillation about a horizontal axis, said boom being mounted on said actuator tube, an actuator rod connected to saidcommon means and a yieldabie coupling between said actuator rod and said actuator tube.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said yieldable coupling includes a friction disk on said tube, a frioton band connected to said actuator rod and frictionally embracing said friction disk I `first means including an actuator tube mounted for oscillation about a horizontal axis, said boom being mounted on said actuator tube, an actuator rod connected to said common means and a yieldable coupling between Said actuator rod and said actuator tube, said actuator tube having oppositely disposed radial trunnions, said boom being mounted on said trunnions for movement Vin a plane perpendicular to the Vertical planeV of -loscillation of the boom. i V

6. The combination of claim 5 inciuding traversing means for positively moving said boom in said perpendicular plane, said traversing means being driven by said common means.

'7. rEhe combination of claim 6 including elevating means for vertically adjusting the upper and lower limits of the Vertical oscillation of said boom.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said elevating means includes a telescoping eleVator sleeve and screw, a stop pin carried by said ele- Vator sleeve, an elevatoi' arm rigid with saidactuator tube and a guide slot receiving said ele- Vator pin.

9. In an excavating machine, a boom, a shovel, a pivot connecting the upper end of said shovel to said boom, a first means for vertically oscillating said boom about a stationary horizontal axis to cause digging by said shovel in a Vertical'plane about said pivot to cause removal of dirt by said shovel, and a common means for driving said first and second means in timed relation, elevating means for Verticaily adjusting the upper and lower limits of the Vertical oscillation of said boom, said elevator means including an elevator arin having a guide slot and rigidly secured to said boom, a stop pin movable in said slot, manual means for adjusting said stop pin to vary the limits of arouate movement of said slot and boom, and a yieldable coupling between said common means and said boom.

10. In an excavating machine, an actuating tube rotatable about a horizontal axis, a boom carrying a separately movable shovel journaled on said actuator tube for movement in a Vertical plane therewith and for independent movement in a plane perpendicular to said Vertical plane, a power shaft, a first means including a yieldable coupling for connecting said power shaft to said actuator tube, a traversing means connected to said power' shaft and to said boom for moving the latter in said perpendicular plane.

ll. The combination of claim 10 wherein said traversing means includes a cable entrained over pulleys and secured to cpposite sides of said boom, a connecting rod terminally connected to said cable and to said power shaft. z

12. The combination of claim 11 including an endless sprocket chain, a driving connection between said sprocket chain and said power shaft, said connecting rod having one end journaled on said sprocket cham.

13. In an excavating machine, a boom, a shovel, a pivot connecting said shovel to said boo-- a first means for Vertically oscillating said boom about a stationary horizontal axis to cause digging by said shovel and a second means for independently oscillating said shovel in a Vertical plane about said pivot to cause removal of dirt by said shovel and a common means for driving said first and second means in timed relation, saidsecond means including a cable terminally connected to an anchor and to an actuator, said cable being connected intermediate its ends to said shovel, a guide, said actuator being slidably secured to said guide, a hook on said actuator and a rotatable cam lobe intermittently engaging and releasing said hook, said cam lobe being driven by said common means.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein said guide has an arcuate portion concentric with the axis of rotation of said cam lobe, said guide having an end portion tangent to the arcuate path of said cam lobe for causing disengagement of said boot:therefrom,l

15. The combination of claim 14 including spring means attached to said boom and shovel for urging said shovel into apredetermined positon and for tensioning said cable to position said hook into. position for engagement by said cam Iobe.

1G. In. an excavating; machine. havingl a boom and a shovel pivoted thereto, a first means for imparting Vertical oscillation to said boom, a second means for imparting independent Vertical oscillation to said shovel, a traversing means. 'for imparting oscillation to said boom and sho'vei in a plane. perpendicular to the Vertical plane of boom oscillation, a common driving means for actuating said first, second and traversing means in timed relation to each other and manual means operable independently and during operaton of any of the preccding means for adjusting the upper and lower limits: of the Vertical oscillation of said boom, said common driv-ing means including an actuator spindie, a driving sleeve keyed to and siidable on said spndle, a source of power, a clutch at one end of said sleeve for detachable connection to said source of power, a brake at the other end of said sleeve and means for selectively and alternatively applying said brake and engaging said clutch.

17. In an exeavating machine, a boom, a shovel, a pivot connecting said shovel to said boom, a first means for vertically oscillating said boom about a stationary horizontal axis to cause dig'- ging by said shovel and a second means for independently oscillating said shovel. in a Vertical plane about said pivot to cause removal. of dirt :by said sliovel and a common means for driving said first and second means in timed relation, said first means including an actuator tube mounted for oscillation about a ho 'izontal said boom being mounted on said actuator tube,

an actuator rod connected to said common means and a 'yieldable coupling between said actuator rod and said actuator tube, a yielding connection in said second means to prevent the transfer of excessive loads from said shovel to said second means.

18. The combination of claim 17, said yielding connection including an adjustable friction slide, said second means including a exible Cable connected to said common means, said shovel and said adjustable friction slide.

19. In an excavating machine, a boom, a shovel,

a pivot connecting said shovel to said boom, a means for oscillating said shovel in a Vertical plane about said pivot to cause removal of dirt by said shovel, a bumper spring constituting a resilient abutment for engagement by said shovel to abruptly limit the independent oscillation thereof and cause a discharge of its contents, said shovel oscillating means including an actuator, a Cable connecting said shovel to said actuator; a yieldable anchor connected to said Cable to prevent the transfer of excessive loads from said shovel to said shovel oscillating means.

The combination of claim 19, wherein said cable is terminally connected to said actuator and to said. anchor, said cable being connected intermediate its ends to said shovei.

21. En an excavating machine, a boom, a shovel, a pivot connecting said shovel to said boom, a means for oscillating' said shovel in a Vertical plane about said pivot to cause digging and throwing of dirt by said shovel, said means including a cable attached to said shovel, an intermittent actuator for said sliovel connected to said cable for actuating' said shove at spaced time id intervals, a driving means connected to said actuator, said intermittent actuator includi ig a guide., said actuator being slidably secured to said guide, a hcol; on said actuator, and a rotatable cam lobe intermittently engaging and rolce-sing said hool.

22. The combination of claim 21, wherein said has an arcuate portion conccntric With the axis of rotation of said cam lobe, said guide having an end portion. tangent to the arcuate path of said cam lobe for causing disengagement of said hooi therefrom.

23. A machine, a support on said machine, a boom pivotally mounted on said support, a first means for verticaliy oscillating said boom, a traversing, means for imparting osciilationto said boom in a plane angularly disposed to the plane of Vertical osciliaticn, common means for operating said nrs't and traversing means in timed relation to each other, said common means including an actuator spindle, a driving sleeve keyed to and slidable on said spindle, a source of power, a elutch at one end of said sleeve for detachable connection to said source of power, a 'Drake at the other end of said sleeve, and means for selectiveiy and alternatively applying said brake and disengaging' said clutch to stop said machine.

In an excavating machine, a boom, a shovel, a pivot connecting said slim/el to said boom, a first means for Verticaliy osoillating said boom about a stationary horizontal axis to cause dig'- ging by said shovel and a second means for independentiy oscillating said shovel a Vertical plane about said pivot to cause removal of dirt by said shovei and a common means for driving said first and second means in time-d relation, said common means including an actuator spindle, a driving sleeve keyed to end slidable on said spinclle, a source` of power, a clutch at one end of said siceve forl etachable connection to said source ofv power, a brale at the other end of said sleeve, and means for select' eiy and alternatively applying said brake and disengaging said clutch.

25. A machine including a support, a boom pivotally mounted on said support, a shovel pivotally attached to said boom, means attaehed to said sliovel for Vertieally oscillating' said shovel, traversing means attached to boom for oscillating said boom in a plane inclined to the Vertical plane of oscillation of the shovel, common means for aotuating said shovel oscillating means and said traversing means in timed relation to each other, said common means ineluding an actuator spindle, a driving sleeve keyed to and slidable on said spindie, a source of power, a clutch at one end of said sleeve for detachable connection to said source of power, a brake at the other end ci' said sleeve, and means for selectively and alternatively applying said brake and disengaging said clutch.

28. In an excavatine machine, a horizontal disposed .boom having' forward and rear enols, means mcunting the rear end of said boom for Vertical oscillation about a stationary horizontal axis, a shovel having a Vertical handle and a spada-like blade rigidly secured to the lower end thereof, means pivotally ccnnecting the upper end of the shovel handle to the forward end of said boom for oscillation in a Vertical piano, a first means for imparting Vertical oscillation to said boom and thereby imparting Vertical digging strokes to said shovei handle and biade, a second means for imparting osciilation to said shovel about its pivot means, said second means being interconnected to said first means and timed relative thereto whereby pivotal swinging movement of said shovel is initiated substantially upon the completion of the Vertical digging stroke of the shovel as caused by the Vertical oscillaton of said boom.

27. The combination of claim 26, Wherein said second means includes a cable attached to said shovel, means intermittently actuating said cable to impart swngng movement to said shovel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 23,166 |Owen Nov. 8, 1949 817,662 Pearson Apr. 10, 1906 852,919 Whittemore May 7, 190'7 Number 18 Name Date Brunelle Mar. 4, 1913 Pugh Feb. 26, 1924 Burke Aug. 5, 1924 Amundson May 26, 1925 Hetlesater Apr. 24, 1928 Baker July 1, 1930 Opperman Oct. 13, 1931 Downie Feb. 7, 1933 Baker Dec. 12, 1933 Baker Mar. 26, 1935 Sheets Nov. 3, 1936 Owen et al. May 31, 1938 Paris et al Feb. 21, 1939 Royle June 25, 1940v Woodin Feb. 12, 1946 Wommer May 9, 1950 

